Sunday, January 27, 2019

If you thought things were both culturally and politically disturbing in
the US in 2018, I’m sorry to say 2019 seems to be following the same pace and
direction so far. Perhaps the most surreal moment to date was watching the
galley of the New York State Legislature cheer the passing of a bill that
expanding abortion by removing the 24 week limit, expanding the reasons for
late-term abortion from the mother’s life to the mother’s life or health, and
expanding the types of medical personnel who can perform abortions. While the
pro-choice people applaud it, and the pro-life people denounce it, to me it just
seems so extreme. There is no compromise in bill like that. Later, New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law.

I do not speak about abortion much for a few reasons. We live in a culture
that frowns on men speaking on the matter (unless it’s a full-throated embrace
of the pro-choice position). Secondly, I don’t have any first hand experience
on the matter (although I know that many readers will have been involved or
adjacent to involvement regarding the decisions surrounding abortion).
Thirdly, since I don’t talk about it often, there is a high chance I would talk
about abortion in a clumsy, unproductive manner. So I have understood that, in
America, the best-cast-scenario would be the politician's quote that abortion
ought to be “legal, safe, and rare”. If I had to deal with the issue
pastorally, I would do all I could to dissuade an abortion. Others will be
working on “legal and safe”; I will be working on “rare” when I can.

Yet, in the surrounding news that unfolded after the NY legislature, I came
across a woman who does speak about abortion with grace, love, and gentleness.
And she has a rare perspective. She survived an abortion. I don’t mean she
had an abortion and lived. Rather, I mean in the 1970’s her biological mother
underwent a saline injection designed to abort her. Her name is Melissa Ohmed
and she survived. She’s got lots of stuff out there because she is a pro-life
Christian , so google her or look on YouTube for her talks or get her book
You Carried Me: a Daughter’s Memoir. Her story is fascinating. And
as she tells it, time and time again, she mentions forgiveness.

It’s a sure sign that a thing creates feeling of guilt and shame if it can
be marched about in Washington, but in real-life only talked about in hushed
tones. I’ll never be a NY legislator. I’m not likely to see a day when the
debate is settled. But I can tell of God’s forgiveness in Christ Jesus. I
can speak about abortion that way.

Monday, January 7, 2019

On January 3, 2009—surrounded by family, friends, colleagues,
role models, and a bunch of people whom I scarcely knew and
who called themselves members of Our Saviour Lutheran
Church---I was on my knees and ordained as a minister of the
church of Jesus Christ. Moments later I was installed as pastor
of Our Saviour Lutheran Church. Yes, it has been a full
decade. Except for marriage and fatherhood, I think it is
longest single experience of my adult life.

It’s strange. I know of only one other in my graduating class
who is at her original call. Many are their second or third
calls. Some have left ministry altogether. Some have moved
away from parish ministry and serve the church in other
ways. Some have the left the ELCA and serve in other church
bodies. And I have been here all the while. It is such a blessing
because I feel like I am serving Christ in a way that not many
pastors get to serve. Serving in one congregation for a decade
makes me I feel like I am gaining a wisdom that many pastors
do not get to achieve. I am not sure I can explain it and people
seldom ask me for it, but I feel that way.

One of the secrets to serving a long term is for the pastor to
actually like the people. I don’t recall the movie, but I recall a
scene where a young man tells Jimmy Stewart (I think it was) he
wants to marry a young woman. Stewart asks, “well, do you like
her?” The young man enthusiastically responds, “Oh, yes, I love
her”. Stewart rubs his chin and says, “I didn’t ask if you love
her. I asked if you like her.” I can’t tell you the number of
pastors I’ve met who behind closed doors really don’t seem to
like their people. I am sure they would say that love them in
some abstract sort of way. But it sees apparent to me that they
don't have any real affection for them. A pastor has to
appreciate quirks, moods, and differences. And when you do, it
makes being a pastor a joy.

I don’t want to use this article to talk
about how unique pastoral ministry
is. Jesse Corbett used to say that he’d
rather be a roofer than be a
pastor. Me? I’ll stick to
pastoring. I’ve had a lot of different
work experiences, and I know every
vocation has its ups and downs. I also
know that having to sit down and think
about a sermon when you are not in the
mood feels an awful lot like the
salesman having to make cold calls
when he’s not in the mood for it. I just
think being a pastor has a fascinating
combination of joys, challenges and
frustrations.

Thank you for letting me serve and
thank you for helping me as we serve the
Lord together.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Lance+

About Me

I am a second career pastor who began ministry in 2009 after receiving my M.Div. from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. My previous career was in chemical sales. I am married with two children. I am a native Texan, but have lived in NY, VA, NJ and now SC. I was baptized as a Presbyterian, but I have been a Lutheran as long as I can recall.